Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Baton Rouge, LA: $32.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Baton Rouge, LA runs $32.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,326 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Baton Rouge's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,001 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the projected median hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant stands at $32.85, which slightly lags behind the national median of $33.77. This compensation figure reflects the potential earnings for part-time positions, such as those working three days a week, as well as for per-diem employees who often find work in a variety of settings including outpatient clinic gyms, skilled nursing facilities, and home health environments. Entry-level positions start around $11.96 per hour, while experienced PTAs can earn up to $39.06 per hour in the Baton Rouge area, showcasing a substantial range in the hourly pay based on experience and setting. These figures, drawn from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data projected for 2026, provide a clear view of the earning opportunities available to physical therapist assistants in this region of LA.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.96 | $95.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.38 | $163.05 |
| Median (P50) | $32.85 | $262.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.89 | $303.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.06 | $312.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baton Rouge
Based on $32.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.85/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baton Rouge, LA can expect to earn approximately $68,334 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,424. With a cost-of-living index of 90.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Baton Rouge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baton Rouge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,314.12 | $5,695 | $68,334 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $788.47 | $3,417 | $41,001 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $525.65 | $2,278 | $27,334 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Baton Rouge) | $32.85 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $68,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.73% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.30% above the Louisiana state average of $66,790.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.85/hr = $41,001/year (purchasing power: $45,165).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,334/year (purchasing power: $75,275).
CoL index: 90.78 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+58.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Baton Rouge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Baton Rouge grew 50.4% from $21.27/hr (2019) to $31.98/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.75/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Baton Rouge
For part-time physical therapist assistants in Baton Rouge, taking on a role that entails working 24 hours per week would translate to an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. With many PTAs opting for per-diem arrangements, it's common for them to command rates fluctuating between $32 and $48 per hour, especially for specialized roles like traveling contracts that can provide weekly earnings anywhere from $1,200 to $1,800. Despite recent challenges posed by the 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursements that have impacted pay structures in settings heavily reliant on these funds, the hourly rates can vary notably among employer types. For instance, outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer competitive compensation, while skilled nursing facilities often see a drop in agency pay due to shifts made in response to federal regulations. Physical therapist assistants may need to consider the trade-offs when negotiating, balancing potential hourly wages against benefits such as health insurance that full-time positions typically offer, and making strategic choices based on their personal financial goals.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Baton Rouge in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Baton Rouge?
Are physical therapist assistants in Baton Rouge paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Baton Rouge?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Baton Rouge?
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Baton Rouge. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov